Month: August 2024

Living Defensively #7

Saturday, August 31, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

Ephesians 5:17 adds, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Instead of “fools,” we are “wise” (today’s Scripture). We “understand what the will of the Lord is.” What is the Lord doing today? We go to Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. If we do by faith what God Himself is doing, we are automatically doing His will. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;…” (Colossians 1:9-11).

Yet, the vast majority of church members and professing Christians do not understand the Lord’s will for their life because they are depending on man’s wisdom and are doing man’s will. “But I trust the scholars” seems to be the motto of most of our churches and schools. Those esteemed as “Bible scholars” are typically people who know little to nothing about the Bible—instead, they are Greek scholars, Hebrew scholars, Latin scholars, church history scholars, denominational scholars. Their misinformation is then taken into the hearts and minds of Christians as though it was God’s life and light… when it was not. No wonder there is no Divine wisdom or power in our churches and schools and homes, and sin and ignorance beset us time and time again. We must live defensively, vigilantly, prudently—“walk circumspectly.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Living Defensively #6

Friday, August 30, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

To reiterate, today’s Scripture directs us to “walk circumspectly,” or walk having an awareness of our surroundings. We should not walk as “fools” (silly people, those without common sense or judgment) but as “wise” individuals (filled with God’s wisdom instead of man’s wisdom). “Let the word of Christ [the Scriptures rightly divided] dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

Further explanation is supplied in Ephesians: “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16, the verse following today’s Scripture) is “buying back the time” that Satan has stolen from God and used for his own glory instead of our Creator’s glory. Galatians 1:4 speaks of “this present evil world.” Satan is “the god [ruler] of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and he even bragged of this might in Matthew 4:8,9 and Luke 4:5-7. “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5) is about being sensible in front of unbelievers—the very people who are of this world and who love this world because it belongs to their spiritual father, Satan (John 8:44; 1 John 2:15-17). “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:…” (Ephesians 2:2).

As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to make wise use of our time—not fritter it away or waste it on that which disagrees with sound Bible doctrine. Either Christ is being formed in us (Galatians 4:19), or He is not. We are either carbon copies of our denominations, cults, sects; or we are filled with the life of Jesus Christ because we are walking after, minding the things of, the indwelling Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:1-17). Either we are walking defensively or walking recklessly, driving warily or driving irresponsibly, living maturely or living childishly. It truly is the difference between God’s life and Satan’s life, safety and injury….

Living Defensively #5

Thursday, August 29, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14, that which precedes today’s Scripture). Someone here is sleeping in the spiritual realm and is thus exhorted to wake up, to rise from functional death, for Christ offers spiritual light in contrast to the surrounding darkness. As mature Bible students, we call to mind a man named Eutychus who was in a similar situation.

Eutychus’ ordeal is featured in Acts chapter 20: “[7] And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. [8] And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. [9] And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. [10] And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. [11] When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. [12] And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.”

As his Apostle Paul was preaching, Eutychus became sidetracked and nodded off. This was not just a quick nap but a “deep sleep” (verse 9). There was great light inside the building with Paul’s ministry, but Eutychus focused on the darkness outside and wound up falling asleep and falling down dead! Remember the Corinthians who listened more to false teachers than God’s preachers? The Bible urges them: “Be not deceived: evil communications [companionships, friendships] corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33,34).

Considering all this, we ought to “walk circumspectly….”

Living Defensively #4

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

It is incomprehensibly remarkable how Christian people can be so tolerant of spiritual hazards. When you warn them about false doctrine, apostate denominations, charlatan preachers and teachers, corrupt Bible versions, and other perils, they are frequently unconcerned. They have become so brainwashed, so programmed, so indoctrinated, and so desensitized that they are comfortable right where they are—no matter how dreadful it is. It makes as much sense as someone without any worries lounging near “a little” radioactive waste, swimming in “a little” sewage, drinking “a little” poison, and suffering “a little” cancer! Such is the deceitfulness of sin and the living in denial. Contrary to today’s Scripture, they have not walked “circumspectly” and reject any counsel to do so.

The English word “circumspectly” is derived from Latin components. One is “circum–,” the basis for “circumference” (the distance around a circle). The other is “spectaculum,” the origin of “spectacular” (something seen that is amazing or impressive), “spectacles” (eyeglasses), and so on. Lastly, the suffix “–ly” means “like.” Piecing these fragments together, we deduce “walk circumspectly” means “to walk like you are looking around.” You are mindful of your surroundings, careful to place your feet on solid ground and not walk into a hole or sinking sand or step off a cliffside. “Wary and unwilling to take risks,” is how the dictionary defines “circumspectly.”

Both the Corinthians and the Galatians were not cautious but willing to take risks. They were open to defilement, whether in deed or in doctrine, and it should not have been like that. We need not dismiss these passages as “dead history” or “irrelevant” to us, as public sinful behavior and false teaching have been tolerated in Christian circles throughout church history and right up to the modern age. Therefore, the name of Jesus Christ is most offensive to so many people who already dislike Him. Still, it is not too late to turn this around… not yet.

Let us proceed to expositing today’s Scripture in its context and thus gain the profit God the Holy Spirit has placed therein….

Living Defensively #3

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). The Corinthians were reminded how just a small quantity of leavening agent (yeast) causes the entire lump of dough to rise. Their allowance of fornication in their local assembly threatened to conquer all of them with sin. This was with respect to evil conduct.

We find the Galatians tolerating evil teaching. The Holy Spirit through Paul cautions them how such “minor” leaven will spread and thoroughly corrupt them. Observe Galatians chapter 5: “[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. [2] Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. [3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. [5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. [6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. [7] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? [8] This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. [9] A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”

As the Corinthians were not walking circumspectly concerning deed, so the Galatians were not walking circumspectly regarding doctrine. The Galatians were permitting legalistic (law-based) teaching when they should have refused it. They ought to have held to God’s grace—how He accepts them in Christ because of His finished crosswork, not because of their religious works. Tolerating just a little false teaching (Galatia) is just as dangerous as allowing a little sinful conduct (Corinthians)….

Living Defensively #2

Monday, August 26, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

In the Book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 5, we learn of one of the chief spiritual scandals in the capital city of southern Greece. The Corinthian believers were tolerating such sinfulness, totally unaware they were exposing themselves to spiritual contamination. It was a serious problem, yet they lacked discernment to know any better. Let us read about it.

“[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” A Christian brother was having sexual relations with his father’s wife (assumed to be his stepmother, not his biological mother). Whereas such incest was punishable by death or exile in heathen Roman courts, Christians in Corinth were unembarrassed and actually boasting or finding the situation amusing (!).

“[3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, [4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” As an Apostle and mature saint, Paul had already judged the matter. That fornicating brother was destroying his edification process by filling his spirit and soul with bad doctrine instead of sound doctrine. He should be excommunicated, removed, from their local church for three reasons: he should reap the consequences of his sin, he should be discouraged from any future misconduct, and he should be encouraged to reform.

In short, the fornicating brother was not walking circumspectly but walking foolishly. His brethren in Corinth, by tolerating his sin, were also not walking circumspectly but walking foolishly. Like the thoughtless driver of a vehicle, neither party was living defensively….

Living Defensively #1

Sunday, August 25, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

Once, a family member surprised me when she declared how, even though she was greatly advanced in years, she was still able to drive her car! She complained to me how, in all the decades she had been driving, people operating vehicles on the road today were more reckless than ever. I told her, “Indeed, we are to drive defensively.” We have to watch not only what we are doing, but also be on the lookout for others (who may not be watching what they are doing)—what types of vehicles are near us or approaching us (bicycles, 18-wheelers, sedans, pickup trucks, et cetera), their distance from us, their speeds and braking habits, and any hazardous conditions that could possibly develop with them or our other surroundings.

More recently, I was instructing my 16-year-nephew how to drive his new car. As he got into the driver’s seat, and I sat on the passenger’s side, we began our trip into town. With that aforementioned lady in mind, I cautioned him to drive defensively, to not be distracted but be aware of his environment—watching out for any children or animals wandering out into the roadway, slow drivers in front of him, oncoming traffic zooming around curves and crossing into his lane, stop signs, narrow roads, speed-limit signs, puddles of water, potholes, and other potential challenges. Sure enough, we encountered perils along the way, but he managed to get us safely back home. (If you must know, I would give him a score of 95%!)

In today’s Scripture and its context, we read: “[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. [15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, [16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. [18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;….”

We now explore how driving defensively and walking circumspectly operate according to the same fundamental principles….

A Father’s Gift #10

Saturday, August 24, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:3,4). This is yet another cautioning regarding how Satan’s evil world system insidiously seduces us from God’s current revelation to man. The Devil, most cunningly in Genesis 3:1-6, encouraged Adam and Eve to move from what the LORD God had told them. They were in unbelief, not content with their God-given identity.

See 1 Corinthians 10:1-15. There, we are reminded of ancient Israel’s failure to walk in the national identity and provisions the LORD had granted them when He brought them out of Egypt. Actually, in their unbelief, they remembered their Egyptian “comforts” (Numbers 11:4-9) and wished to return to them instead of live in God’s land (Numbers 14:1-10)! Again, we should learn how Satan works and not render ourselves vulnerable to his stratagems by being ignorant of them. The Devil knows how to use our sin nature to his advantage, but it is only our fault when we give in to him because we failed to know and/or trust God’s words to us.

Recalling Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13, we will recognize how Satan could not motivate the Lord Jesus Christ to question Father God’s words to Him. Jesus was not deceived, for He remembered Father’s words: no matter what Satan said or did, Jesus would not be drawn from them. Likewise, when we remember God’s words to and about us, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon, we recognize our identity in Christ. Satan therefore cannot master or fool us. Remember the pitiful story with which we opened this devotionals arc—the father, the son, and the sports car. We ought to be thankful of what Father God has given us in Christ, and not throw tantrums because we are too childish to recognize His generosity!

A Father’s Gift #9

Friday, August 23, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

Now, 2 Corinthians chapter 4: “[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

Verse 2 warns about people in ministry who “handle the word of God deceitfully [dishonestly].” They do not discard the Scriptures; they simply misuse them and led people astray with those perverted verses. Verses 3 and 4 teach how Satan, the god (ruler) of this world, exploits false doctrine or works-religion to blind non-Christian people—but he keeps even believers in the dark if they refuse God’s light. In verse 7, we have a treasure in earthen vessels (Christ living His life in and through our physical body; see verses 10,11). We will have God’s mighty power in our lives… provided we have His words and not man’s wisdom. See 1 Corinthians 2:4,5: “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

A Father’s Gift #8

Thursday, August 22, 2024

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Let us learn about Father’s gift….

Read Colossians 2:3-9: “[3] In whom [Christ, verse 2] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. [5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. [6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: [7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. [8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

In Christ, we find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (verse 3). However, someone can trick us with nice-sounding words, offering us counterfeit wisdom and knowledge to replace God’s wisdom and knowledge (verse 4). Paul recognizes the Colossian saints, mature believers, need to continue with their stedfastness (stability) of their faith in Christ (verse 5). Having received Christ Jesus the Lord by faith, they are to walk in Him similarly—by faith (verse 6). They should be rooted and built up in Him, growing and being edified or strengthened in sound Bible doctrine, Christians who have been taught, filled with gratitude to God (verse 7). How they should guard against love of human wisdom, empty lies, manmade religious tradition, legalism and works-religion—which do not align with Christ (verse 8)! In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead physically—God in human flesh (verse 9).

Now, Colossians 2:10: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:….” We lack nothing in Christ (today’s Scripture)—but Satan’s evil world system would have us believe we need something outside of Christ (and His words to us, preserved in Scripture). Maybe it is an experience, a feeling, a ritual, a rite, a ceremony… a distraction….